Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Banal's career hinges on Herrera fight
FOR up and rising boxer AJ “Bazooka” Banal the biggest test of his career is still to come when he faces undefeated Uruguayan Caril “El Raton” Herrera in the upcoming Peñalosa-Vorapin card on April 6 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Banal hasn’t been defeated in his young professional career since 2005 and will be facing a difficult foe in Herrera, the assignment yet set for him by ALA Promotions.
“This will be his test if he is ready for big time fights,” said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer in an interview by Sun.Star Cebu.
“The outcome of this fight will dictate the direction of his career,” he added.
ALA Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and international matchmaker Sam Lekowicz has already pre-planned Banal’s upcoming fights depending on the outcome of his crucial battle in April.
“After this fight with Herrera we are planning for Banal to fight in June here in Cebu and then in the US by September,” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.
Right moment
Aldeguer believes that it is the right moment for Banal to fight an opponent like Herrera and he is ready for big time fights.
“He is in the right age to fight top caliber fighters like Herrera,” said Aldeguer.
The southpaw Herrera is a popular fighter in Uruguay and fights in main events there and has an outstanding undefeated record (21-0, 13 KO’s).
Meanwhile, Banal and fellow ALA boxer Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista have sparred four rounds each yesterday in preparation for their fight. (EKA)
